Squeaky Front Forks

I dismantled and rebuilt my front forks about a month ago. I replaced the oil seals and put in new fork oil. The bushes looked OK and the springs are within limits. All seemed well.

Today, I got back from a ride out and I heard a squeaking noise from the front forks as I put the bike to bed. If I hold the front brake and move the front end up and down, I get a squeaking noise; just like a squeaky bed or chair.

It sounds like squeaky springs, but how? I've done some Googling but can't find anything relative.

What could it be?

We learn from our mistakes. I will soon be a genius.

Sorry 1Wingman1, you've lost me there!

BTW, how did you get hold of a photograph of my ex-girlfriend?

I knew that someone beat me out with one of the most beautiful women who ever lived and so you are the one? Congratulations, you have my respect and admiration. I thought that pretty face would bring a little cheer to this forum.

I think that I must have dreamed that there were more entries in this thread than there are now. My remark about mistakes was meant in response to another message about someone being stupid enough to oil the brakes. If we learn from mistakes my large volume of errors will soon make me a genius.

Admin hat on: As a matter of forum liability those posts were removed. As someone mentioned, 'Never underestimate the power of stupidity'. My apologies to you all. I thought I had PM'd you to explain of the need to remove those posts.

Loosemarbles wrote:

I dismantled and rebuilt my front forks about a month ago. I replaced the oil seals and put in new fork oil. The bushes looked OK and the springs are within limits. All seemed well.

Today, I got back from a ride out and I heard a squeaking noise from the front forks as I put the bike to bed. If I hold the front brake and move the front end up and down, I get a squeaking noise; just like a squeaky bed or chair.

It sounds like squeaky springs, but how? I've done some Googling but can't find anything relative.

What could it be?

I have heard squeaking at the forks on rare occasions. I thought it was a spring rubbing slightly inside the fork tube. It must be that or one of the seals. You should be able to test seals by applying a small amount of oil. You can pry out the dust seals but I don't remember how hard it is to push them back in. Since oil attracts dirt and dust you should clean up when finished.

There must be some major sloshing of oil inside the forks and your squeak might magically disappear on your next ride like mine always does.

1Wingman1...you must have clicked the 'send' button about 3 seconds before I did!

The noise doesn't sound like a rubber-type squeal although I will check the fork oil seals and dust seals. The sound is very much like a spring squeaking. The stuff on t'interweb doesn't seem to show the precise problem. There is nothing else I can think of which would make this sound, other than a spring

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Admin hat on: As a matter of forum liability those posts were removed. As someone mentioned, 'Never underestimate the power of stupidity'. My apologies to you all. I thought I had PM'd you to explain of the need to remove those posts.

I wondered where my posts had gone.

steve_h80 wrote:

I wondered where my posts had gone.

Steve, I had PM’d you regarding this. But perhaps you’ve opted not to receive PM’s or email via the forum.